On Monday March 1, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon had telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, according to the Tajik president’s official website.

At the beginning of the conversation, Emomali Rahmon celebrated the great success made by China in many spheres of life and significant strengthening of its authority on international arena in recent decade.  

Tajik leader made a special emphasis on the achievements of the neighboring country in overcoming poverty.

The two sides reportedly discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between their countries.

Rahmon and Xi, in particular, discussed  issues of expanding trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and outlined agriculture and transportation sectors and e-commerce as areas which could help reduce the impact of global financial and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Tajik leader also appreciated the important contribution China made to the global fight against the COVID-19 and thanked China for the valuable support given to Tajikistan in the fight against the COVID-19.  He also appreciated China’s readiness to provide COVID-19 vaccine aid to Tajikistan.  

Tajikistan is willing to work with China to continue to expand cooperation between the two countries in various fields in the spirit of good-neighborliness and friendship, to promote new developments in bilateral ties, Rahmon added.

Chinese media reports say Chinese President Xi Jinping noted on Monday during the telephone conversation with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon that China is willing to provide COVID-19 vaccine aid to Tajikistan.  

Since last year, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented global changes in a century, the people of China and Tajikistan have worked together in solidarity, Xi said, according to CGTN.

He noted fruitful cooperation results have been yielded in various fields between the two sides, and the cooperation in fighting the epidemic has become a highlight.

The two sides support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, which fully reflects the high level development of the China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.

China firmly supports Tajikistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and stability, and is willing to strengthen the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Tajikistan's national development strategy until 2030, so as to promote the continuous development of China-Tajikistan relations, he added.

China is ready to import more quality agricultural products from Tajikistan that meet market demands, Xi said, adding that China is also willing to provide assistance of COVID-19 vaccines to Tajikistan in a bid to promote the building of a community of common health for mankind, according to Xinhua.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Xi said China will give full support to Tajikistan, currently holding the rotating presidency of SCO, and strengthen cooperation with Tajikistan, so as to promote greater development of the organization from a new starting point.